Can't seem to warm up? It might not be related to aging

Can't seem to warm up? It might not be related to aging

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One change people seem to report is feeling cold even when temperatures aren't plunging. While one may be tempted to relegate this condition to the aging process, that may not be the case for each individual. The human body's response to cold or heat varies from person to person.

"We cannot blame everything on growing old," says Dr. Joseph Giordano, doctor of osteopathic medicine of Edward Medical Group who specializes in geriatric medicine. "Some things, such as making better life judgments, actually improve with age. We can even run longer distances because muscle fibers change over the years.

Yet, many people are convinced that feeling cold is one of the inevitable changes of advancing years. Women outnumber men in this regard mostly because they lose insulation faster as they age. Lean muscle, blood circulation and fat cells all decline a bit faster than for men."

But, then again, Giordano points out, women's "thin skin" causes these symptoms even in their younger years.

"It's only when 'feeling cold' occurs with other signs and symptoms that doctors become curious, " says Giordano.

He recommends that seniors who develop new or increasing cold feelings record their temperature orally over a 12 to 24 hour period. Little changes in temperature may prove important, although seniors who are harboring deeper illnesses may have normal temperatures.

"A reasonable range to remember is between 97.5 and 100.5," says Giordano. "It is actually the change from a person's normal range that matters the most."

Other causes of feeling cold, says Giordano, include infection, inflammatory disease such as arthritis, circulatory decline and even depression, indirectly. Medications, too, -- prescription or over the counter -- may also be the culprit.

Nutritional deficiencies can play a part, especially if a person is in the habit of skipping meals. Being underweight can make a person sensitive to cold. Some people who are anemic also report feeling cold. Hormonal imbalances can cause some women to be sensitive to cold.

While alleviating that cold feeling can be as simple as turning up the heat, Giordano emphasizes that the treatment for feeling cold varies with the cause.

"Talk to your doctor about medication changes, if appropriate," he says. "Remember to bring in all the pills taken on a regular basis. Do not be shy about asking about other possible causes or symptoms."

Giordano also advises to dress sensibly. It takes people over 65 longer to adapt to cooler temperatures. Overdressing may actually increase sweating and lead a person back to an uncomfortable level faster, he says.

"Finally," he adds, "remind yourself that feeling cold is common. Adapting to this symptom requires a little bit of science and a whole lot of common sense. Above all, do not simply ignore the symptoms. But, remember, too, old age is not a disease."